Marriage, divorce and Communion

Monday, July 20, 2015

Msgr. Michael Souckar - St. Andrew Church

It
is a common misunderstanding that a Catholic who divorces his/her spouse is no
longer free to receive Communion. There are even some who think that divorced
Catholics or those who do not marry by the Church are excommunicated. Perhaps
you know someone who no longer attends Mass or is otherwise alienated from the
Catholic Church because of his or her marital status. While these can be
complicated matters and every person’s situation is unique, I believe it is my duty
to present a few important teachings on marriage and the freedom of Catholics
to receive Communion.

The
Catholic Church teaches that marriage  instituted by God  is a natural good
open to men and women who profess any faith or no faith. The Church recognizes
the marriages of non-Catholics and does not presume to determine the way they
are to marry, be that a religious or civil ceremony. So, for example, the Catholic
Church considers as valid the marriage of two Methodists who marry before a
justice of the peace or a Jewish man and a Baptist woman who marry before a
Baptist minister.

However,
when a marriage involves at least one Catholic, the Church does say that, to be
valid, that marriage must be celebrated according to the regulations of the
Church. This normally means a marriage ceremony in a Catholic church/chapel, officiated
by a Catholic priest or deacon with two witnesses present. (The bishop can grant
exceptions, but limited space here does not allow me to go into those details.)

Therefore,
Catholics  even when marrying a non-Catholic  who marry only civilly or
before a non-Catholic minister (without the bishop’s permission) are not
considered to be validly married. Since they are living as husband and wife and
sharing those intimacies which are proper to marriage, there arises a moral
obstacle to their reception of Communion. (The same would apply to a Catholic
who cohabitates without the benefit of marriage.)

It
does not, however, mean that they are any less Catholic, or are rejected by the
Church or, by any means, excommunicated. In fact, these Catholics are equally
members of the Church and they have the same freedom and obligation to
participate in Sunday Mass as do all Catholics. At Mass they benefit from
receiving God’s word communicated in the Scriptures and joining the community
of the faithful in offering prayer, worship and praise to God. Although they
are not free to receive Communion, they are invited to make a “spiritual
communion” by their personal prayer with Almighty God.

The
Catholic Church does not recognize the authority of civil officials (judges) to
break the bond of marriage by divorce. There are situations, however, where the
separation of the spouses is inevitable or, as in the case of spousal abuse, even
necessary.

A
Catholic who is civilly divorced is no less a part of the Church nor are they 
by that fact alone  prohibited from receiving Communion or the other
sacraments. Catholics who are separated or divorced do have a moral obligation
to provide for their minor children and to fulfill other just obligations
imposed by the civil court (e.g. a just alimony). They also are to live a
chaste life.

The
Catholic Church loves and embraces all her children. We all stand before God in
need of His mercy and none of us is free to judge the other, especially his or
her conscience.

Without
setting aside or watering down the true nature of marriage and its rights and
obligations, the Church recognizes with the heart of the Good Shepherd that
quite a few of her own are in difficult marital situations. Far from rejecting
these loved ones, the Church  and individual parishes  can and must always be
a place for their healing, reconciliation and peace.

As
Pope Francis has said, “It is vitally important for the Church today to go
forth and preach the Gospel to all: to all places, on all occasions, without
hesitation, reluctance or fear. The joy of the Gospel is for all people: no one
can be excluded.” (The Joy of the Gospel, 23)

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Comments from readers

Rev. Phillip H. Tran - 07/23/2015 11:40 AM

Well said, as only you could do it Msgr. Souckar! This clarification on marriage is so sorely, esp. in light of recent events. It's easy to get pessimistic as it feels the meaning and context of marriage is getting so lost in our culture. We're going to have to continue to pray and discern with the Church as to how we're going to proceed and catechize all of the people who are so hungry to know more about our beautiful teachings on marriage.

Dcn. Peter Trahan - 07/23/2015 10:14 AM

Well done Msgr. This is both one of the most complicated areas of Catholic life and the most misunderstood. Many people are alienated from the Church because of second and third hand information. In this brief space you have brought clarity to the marriage/divorce situations and their true relation to the Church and parish community. This should be a bulletin insert.
Yours Truly,
Dcn. Peter Trahan

Wiss - 07/23/2015 12:21 AM

Thank you Msgr. Souckar for this informative article. This is a blessing to have you as Pastor. My question is "quid for those divorced women/men but living openly or secretly in fornication?" As a Catholic, I really think that Catholic families should be more informed through this kind of article in order to be more motivated about their family.

Paulina - 07/22/2015 06:11 PM

While I appreciate this much-needed article, I just want to emphasize what Msgr. mentioned only briefly. Divorced Catholics "ARE TO LEAD A CHASTE LIFE." In other words, they should not remarry. If they do remarry, then they are essentially in the same situation as Catholics cohabit or have an invalid marriage. They are morally NOT in an acceptable state to receive the Eucharist. It seems that some readers may have misunderstood that.

Nelson Araque - 07/21/2015 07:40 AM

Thank you Msgr. Souckar. Very informative, concise and clear.

Paul Schlachter - 07/20/2015 10:07 PM

Its a concise summary of what canon law and the catechism have to say about divorced couples and communion. Let me just add that Pope Francis has spoken often and with great concern about this state of things, and that he called the October synod for a complete discussion of the communion question, within the overall search for pastoral approaches to marriage and family. Let us pray together for the bishops who will take part, and that the Holy Spirit guide them to speak boldly with one voice.

Steny Guilarte - 07/20/2015 04:40 PM

Excellent article Msgr. Souckar
Thank you!

Diane - 07/20/2015 03:13 PM

Thank you so much for this very informative article. There are so many misconceptions about divorced Catholics and/or those Catholics who marry a divorced person. We need more information and more dialog about these issue. I'm so happy to read your blog; it was very enlightening and I look forward to reading more.

Elaine Parker - 07/20/2015 01:57 PM

Thank you for this informative article. I myself was in a marriage which ended in divorce not by my choice. It is important to have clarity in the teachings of the Church. I will pass this information to those I come in contact with in my ministry to the divorced in the Church. I would love to see an article clarifying the annulment process as this is another area of difficulty for those in the process of divorce.

Pat Solenski - 07/20/2015 12:21 PM

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! for this informative article. There is so much misunderstanding and inaccuracy regarding the Church's teaching. Your clarity in the various situations will illuminate for some and provide for others accurate information. Thank you also for reminding us to look to our brothers and sisters with love and understanding.

Martha P. Selaya - 07/20/2015 11:49 AM

Msgr, thank you for this article that will clarify to many, I pray, the Church's stand about Marriage, Divorce, and being a practicing Catholic and attending Mass, and even Communion whenever after receiving Absolution after a confession. God bless you always!